Did the Navy Secretary Just Contradict the President?

By Neil Stevens | 3:45 PM on August 11, 2017

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Navy Secretary nominee Richard Spencer listens while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 11, 2017, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Donald Trump made it clear what policy he wants to set for the US armed forces. So why is the Navy Secretary saying otherwise?

Trumps tweets on transsexual service didn’t leave any doubt:

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow……

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

….Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

….victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

While Trump is known for poorly-conceived Tweeting this looked like a prepared statement. And yet in testimony today, Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer (no relation to the Nazi activist) said otherwise. Per the Examiner:

“We will process and take direction on a policy that will be developed by the secretary [with] direction from the president, and march out smartly,” Spencer told reporters during a visit to Naval Station Norfolk, according to the Daily Press. “As I said before, on a fundamental basis, any patriot that wants to serve and meets all the requirements should be able to serve in our military.”

Apparently Richard V. Spencer isn’t one of Trump’s military experts, and does not wish to execute the President’s policy aims. What will the President do about it?